Trimbach Pinot Gris Reserve Personelle

Wine: Trimbach Pinot Gris Reserve Personelle.

Grape: Pinot gris

Region: Alsace, Northeastern France

Vintage: 2001

Price: $7.99

In the glass: Trimbach Pinot Gris is a firm lemon-yellow color, with a golden hue to its core, going out into a nice, even, bright clear rim definition with medium viscosity.

On the nose: There is an amazingly rich blend of apple sauce, warm, ripe floral white fruit notes, with pear sparkler, mango rind, Key lime pie, apricots, hints of crushed almonds, white cranberry juice and fine minerals.

On the palate: This wine appears well-matured, but in its prime, as it is rich with balmy fruit flavors, including sweetish pears, apricots and white cranberries. There is nicely layered and balanced texture through the midpalate, showing decent acidity levels, Gala apple peel and soft core minerals. The finish is a smooth and soft one with yet more pears and hints of citrus, quite complex and still retaining a good "bite" through to the end with a touch of lemon drop. This is a well-made and lovely refreshing wine with a medium-bodied and airy sort of characteristic.

Odds and ends: Trimbach is among the greatest white wine producers in the world. Its top vineyard in Alsace -- which is the home of pinot gris, riesling and gewurztraminer grape varieties, among others -- is called Clos Ste. Hune and is easily among the top three whites on the planet. It is incredible to drink this wine now at age 9 from perhaps the greatest vintage in a generation -- and to be lucky enough to have it with the Thanksgiving turkey. It is a match made in heaven, and this is a wine that can handle all the sweet accouterments as well. Get it at this insanely low price and elevate your family dinner to a whole new level. Chill Trimbach Pinot Gris to around 50 degrees Fahrenheit and serve.

Gil Lempert-Schwarz's wine column appears Wednesdays. Write him at P.O. Box 50749, Henderson, NV 89016-0749, or e-mail him at gil@winevegas.com.